I am an Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the STEM Education Center at California State University - Fresno.
I do research on university-level biology education and STEM student success, including research on (a) broadening participation in STEM, (b) making biology instruction more socially relevant, (c) incorporating storytelling and creative assessment into the classroom, and (d) exploring change initiatives to support adoption and sustained use of evidence-based practices. Details on my background are below.
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Associate Professor of Biology
California State University - Fresno
2021 - Present
Assistant Professor of Biology
California State University - Fresno
2015 - 2021
Director, STEM Education Center
California State University - Fresno
2018 - present
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Western Michigan University
2013 - 2015
PhD Curriculum and Instruction
University of Missouri
Emphasis in Postsecondary Science Education
2013
M.S. Biology
Western Illinois University
Research in Asian elephant cognition
2008
B.S. Biology
Iowa State University
Summa Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi
2004
Outside of work, I'm a mom to 3 kids, 1 cat, and 1 dog, as well as wife to an awesome person who I've been with since high school. Above is a picture of one of our daughters when she was 1 month old, as well as Yoshi the Wonder Dog, who joined our family in 2024.
In my free time, I love to cook and to play nerdy board games (my favorite is one called Seven Wonders). I also enjoy video games and spending time outside observing nature.